Malaria is still one of the most deadly diseases in the world and indeed one of the most deadly infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite dramatic improvements in the control of malaria in the last decades, which include the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, antimalarial drugs, and other vector-control strategies, the burden of malaria on the world’s health system remains considerable. Monoclonal antibodies are a cutting-edge technology in the fight against malaria that could revolutionize malaria eradication efforts if investments into a malaria-eradication effort were advanced through the development of such monoclonal antibodies. In this column, we present the economic and social impact of capitalizing on the potential of monoclonal antibodies for malaria eradication and, thus, present an argument for future investment into such compounds.
Understanding the Promise of Monoclonal Antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-made molecules that target a specific antigen. As such, they can be a novel and effective way to attack different stages of the lifecycle of the malaria parasite (Plasmodium), protecting from the infection. The benefits of monoclonal antibodies include the fact that they:
- Targeted Action: Monoclonal antibodies selectively bind to malaria parasites or infected cells, triggering immunity without harming healthy cells.
- Continued protection: In contrast with vaccines that might need multiple doses to work, monoclonal antibodies can protect for longer after fewer administrations.
- Complementary Strategy: Monoclonal antibodies can be employed alongside current measures for malaria control, thereby augmenting and possibly synergizing the reductions in the malaria burden.
Economic Impact of Monoclonal Antibodies
Investing in monoclonal antibodies for malaria eradication presents significant economic implications. Here’s how:
1. Healthcare Cost Savings
Cost Reduction in Malaria Treatment
But the introduction of monoclonal antibodies will dramatically slash the costs of treating malaria The reason is straightforward: avoiding disease also avoids severe disease; reducing the incidence of severe malaria disease will slash the need for hospitalization and emergency care.
Model from Economic Models: Monoclonal antibodies could lead to a decrease in healthcare expenditures Overall, it appears that investing in monoclonal antibodies would reduce health expenditures by relieving the burden on hospitals and reducing the costs of treatments for severe malaria cases.
2. Increased Economic Productivity
Impact on Workforce Productivity
Malaria is known for reducing economic productivity because of sick days and days when workers can’t go to their jobs. Therefore, decreasing the incidence of malaria (say by using monoclonal antibodies) would help to maintain a more productive workforce, which is likely to aid in economic growth.
Case Study example from a malaria-endemic region: greater health in regions where mAbs have been available has contributed to increased school attendance and higher productivity in the workplace, resulting in positive economic metrics.
3. Investment in Research and Development
Stimulating Economic Growth
Research and development of monoclonal antibodies is a job creator and is in the interest of the economy due to the innovation-driven growth of the biotechnology sector, plus the linkages this creates in the wider economy. Not only this, but further investment might follow in trying to eradicate malaria as a result of the investment in innovation.
lMonoclonal antibodies are drugs that have the potential to diagnose and treat a wide range of human afflictions. They work by identifying and binding to disease-causing molecules. Compared with other types of drugs, these antibodies work in a more precise way and can lessen or eliminate side effects. From a business perspective, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) present significant profit opportunities. Their high development costs and strong patent protections for the next 20 years and potentially even longer through secondary laws make them attractive investments. By investing in the development of these valuable medicines, companies can create jobs and drive technological innovation in the medical and biotech sectors. These antibodies have their own distinct identities. Scientists have found that natural antibodies are extremely rare in the human body.
Societal Impact of Monoclonal Antibodies
The social impact of mAb spreads far beyond the economic, affecting dimensions of public health and community life even more profoundly:
1. Improved Health Outcomes
Enhancing Quality of Life
Monoclonal antibodies could lead to dramatically healthier outcomes if malaria can be both prevented and treated. Malaria is preventable, which means that under-resourced communities can thrive, youth can grow up, and people worldwide can breathe more easily and live longer happier lives.
An excerpt from a testimonial by Dr Samuel Karanja, a public health expert: ‘Monoclonal antibodies offer a game-changing approach to malaria control. Their potential to improve health outcomes and quality of life for hundreds of millions of people at risk in malaria-endemic regions is enormous.’
2. Empowerment of Communities
Building Trust and Engagement
Effective malaria control with, for example, monoclonal antibodies will lead to empowerment, including trust in health systems and improved participation by communities in health programs.
‘When communities see the good things [from monoclonal antibodies], they respond well to other health programs too,’ explained Maria, the CHW. Communities’ acceptance of interventions will be essential to any eradication effort. Since malaria goes through cycles of surges and falls, small blips in malaria incidence could signify a large-scale outbreak in the making. Efforts to eliminate still-endemic foci in West Africa must remain high-quality and consistent. If declared eradicated, there could be a false sense of comfort that allows the disease to re-establish itself or spread.
3. Reduction of Health Inequities
Addressing Disparities in Healthcare
Monoclonal antibodies can enhance health equity by increasing access to advanced treatments for underserved populations. By delivering these therapies universally, especially in regions where clinical trials for candidate vaccines are conducted, we can reduce health disparities in malaria outcomes.
Dr Amina J Mohamed, Global Health Advocate: ‘Wide access to monoclonal antibodies, including populations in remote and underserved areas, will help address health disparities and achieve universal health.’
Challenges and Considerations
But these opening ballets conceal some still-unsolved problems: although monoclonal antibodies have great therapeutic potential, significant, unsolved problems persist.
1. Cost and Affordability
Ensuring Accessibility
Costs per treatment are currently prohibitively high and require the expensive production of multivalent monoclonal antibodies as well as repeated injections. Adoption will require reducing these costs so that they’re compatible with low-resource settings.
Health economist Dr. Maria Silva, a professor emerita at Oxford Brookes University, stated, “Reducing the cost of monoclonal antibodies and making them accessible to those who need them most is a significant challenge that requires collaboration among governments, NGOs, and private companies.”
2. Logistical and Distribution Challenges
Effective Delivery Systems
While monoclonal antibodies have been proven to be effective, their practical use entails multiple logistical challenges and important distribution issues. Creating timely and efficient delivery methods and supply chains is a necessary endeavor.
‘One of the major challenges we still need to overcome is building much better networks in logistics and distribution, making sure that monoclonal antibodies are reaching communities that are underrepresented or underserved,’ says Dr Rafael Silva, Health Program Manager.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation
Assessing Impact and Safety
Third, as it goes beyond a mere control over nature or a product against malaria, there must be constant monitoring and evaluation of their efficacy and safety: what happens with the incidence of malaria? What are the side effects? Does it lead to equivalent or better health outcomes than the tools it replaces?
Dr. Elina Larsson, Research Coordinator, explained, “We need to constantly monitor the monoclonal antibodies to ensure they achieve the anticipated effects and determine whether refinements in therapy are needed to enhance both their effectiveness and safety.
Future Prospects
Due to their promising characteristics in preclinical studies, investment in research and development of monoclonal antibodies could pave the way to entirely new malaria-control strategies. Cost and accessibility issues will remain challenges, but past efforts have successfully tackled similar problems with other drugs and vaccines. Governments, international organizations, and the private sector must collaborate to further develop this innovative antibody approach and unlock the potential for global malaria eradication.
From Dr James Okoro, malaria researcher: ‘If we continue with this commitment as currently we are doing, monoclonal antibodies would help us finally rid the world of malaria. And that would improve the health of hundreds and hundreds of millions of people.’
Investing in monoclonal antibodies against malaria is part of a cost-effective and long-term strategy for malaria eradication. It is a cost-effective strategy for investment in innovation that could lead to the generation of gross domestic product (GDP) and induce a virtuous circle of cost reduction, greater productivity, increased innovation, and job creation.
In the years to come, as the world ramps up manufacturing, trial, and distribution, issues around cost – and limitations on who can access them and when – will need to be resolved. But with further innovation and investment, monoclonal antibodies could one day provide an important, potent component of the global strategy to eliminate malaria and make the lives of millions better.
